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Snow Falls at Skylands

Skylands, my home in Maine, is under nearly three-feet of snow.

These past couple of weeks have been very challenging for residents in the Northeast after two strong nor’easters barreled through the region. Yesterday, I shared photos of my Bedford, New York farm after the most recent weather system dropped several more inches on the already white landscape. Unfortunately, the snow totals were drastically different up at Skylands - this week, more than 24-inches fell with three to five foot snow drifts. Despite its beauty, all the snow makes clean-up quite difficult. My Skylands crew has been very busy plowing the carriage roads, shoveling the walkways and terraces, and clearing any areas that may be subject to leaking or flooding because of the heavy accumulation - it's a tedious and necessary task.

Cheryl Dulong, who works at Skylands, and my property director, Fred Jacobsen, who is up there for the week, took some photos to show me “what a difference a few days make” - enjoy.

And, be sure to tune in to QVC today at 2pm and 3pm ET! I'll be on LIVE with more fashion items, garden products and pieces from my newest collection - pets!!Don't miss it!

This photo was taken the first week of March, when the landscape was still quite green and ready for spring. This view looks out to the pool. Jens Jensen, the landscape architect who worked on Skylands, called this area a meadow because the trees were still quite young during his time here – he would be amazed at how much they’ve grown.

Here is another view looking into the woodland. Straight ahead through the trees, you can see some of the “Rockefeller Teeth”.

The “cracked ice” stone pavers are still very visible on the main terrace – the calm before the storms.

The next day, the “cracked ice” can’t even be seen. On the right ledge, my long stone trough is covered with a protective box – almost unnoticeable under the accumulated snow. The planter is carved from a single block of granite. I purchased it from Trade Secrets in 2013.

This day was very sunny, and the view out to Seal Harbor was still so visible and breathtaking. It looks very different in summer when it’s filled with boats.

The sun lit up the trees in the woodland, but it was still quite cold – only topping in the low 30s.

It is a big job clearing pathways and stairwells, but the crew gets it done.

Skylands is beautiful in every season, but under winter’s glistening snow, it is even more magical.

This was my front driveway circle this week just before the most recent nor’easter hit. The snow on the trees had already melted, but the driveway was still covered in white.

By late afternoon, several more inches of snow fell on Skylands. This is Terrace One looking out over Seal Harbor – ever so faintly.

There are many original kiwi vines that continue to grow and thrive on the exterior walls of Skylands – they look like art all covered in snow.

On the roof, you can see the snow drifts that accumulated – the strong winds blew the snow from one section to the next.

This is one of my favorite views – through a leaded window in the dining room to the large “cracked ice” terrace.

Droplets of melted frost and dripping snow cover this window pane.

Here is a group of wild turkeys. The wild turkey is North America’s largest upland game bird. An adult tom can weigh up to 20-pounds.

The tree branches are so weighed down – it’s hard to see the green of the foliage.

Even the tree trunks are covered with white.

Snow accumulated on this lamppost. Looking at it, you can tell which direction the snow was driven.

Here is Rick driving our trusted John Deere tractor the following morning. The tractor’s front end loader bucket is helpful for carrying snow out of the way.

Fernando and Rick shovel mound after mound into the bucket until the driveways and footpaths are clear.

It was still quite cloudy, but the snow had stopped – at least for the moment. Some light snow showers were still expected through the course of the day.

Despite all the beauty, it’s a lot of snow to shovel around the house. These steps – yes there are steps here – run from the back porch to the front circle and driveway.

And here is another view of the main terrace – the snow is nearly up to the top of the ledge.

This photo shows the icicles that formed under the roof. The icicles froze in the wind and are several inches long.

But don’t worry – Aristide Maillol’s ‘La Riviere’ is safe and all tucked away for the remainder of winter.